In the Northern Trust Open in Los Angeles, Bill Haas had another bogey-free round at Riviera CC while shooting a 7-under 64 - the best round of the day by 3 shots - to take a 3-stroke lead into the final day.
On a warm day that made the greens even faster, Haas finished 12-under at 201. U.S. Open champion Webb Simpson and former Masters champion Charl Schwartzel each had a 68. They were three behind, along with John Merrick (70).
BASEBALL: Slugger Jason Giambi, 42, who interviewed for the Colorado Rockies managerial opening during the offseason, signed a minor-league contract with the Indians. He had been contemplating retirement when he got a call from Cleveland manager Terry Francona, who believes the 18-year veteran can not only help their lineup but serve as a mentor.
New York Yankees ace CC Sabathia threw off a mound for the first time since arthroscopic surgery Oct. 25 to remove a bone spur from his left elbow. The 32-year-old lefty made 29 pitches, and afterward said: "No problems. Probably didn't throw a strike, but that's normal for my first bullpen."
Cincinnati Reds closer Aroldis Chapman is getting a chance to win a spot in the rotation, but manager Dusty Baker is keeping an open mind about moving Chapman back to the bullpen in an emergency. The hard-throwing lefty saved 38 games last season, his first as a closer.
TENNIS: A day after regaining the No. 1 ranking, Serena Williams defeated Maria Sharapova, 6-3, 6-2, to reach the Qatar Open final in Doha. She will play for the title against Victoria Azarenka, the former top-ranked player. Azarenka beat Agnieszka Radwanska, 6-3, 6-3, in the other semifinal.
FOOTBALL: Penn State coach Bill O'Brien tweeted late Friday that running backs coach Charles London and linebackers coach Ron Vanderlinden will oversee special teams.
SOCCER: Barcelona's Lionel Messi scored his 300th and 301st career goals and extended his record scoring run to 14 Spanish league games in a 2-1 win at Granada. In 2012, Messi broke the record for goals scored in a calendar year with 91, topping the old mark of 85.
In preseason action, the Union beat Toronto FC, 3-0, at the Disney Pro Soccer Classic in Orlando.
- Wire and staff reports
